Habitat For Humanity New York City To Celebrate President And Mrs. Carter's Return To New York For The 30th Annual Carter Work Project

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity New York City will host the 30^th annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project to build and repair homes, while also celebrating President and Mrs. Carter's ongoing service to Habitat for Humanity. Since 1984, the Carters have worked to raise awareness about the critical need for affordable housing across the country and around the world. The week-long celebration, which includes home renovations of vacant houses in Queens and critical home repairs in Staten Island, will begin on Sunday, October 6 and run until Saturday, October 12. Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project is a nationwide event that will also take place in Oakland and San Jose, CA, Denver, CO, and Union Beach, N.J. and coincides with the United Nations-designated World Habitat Day on October 7.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130919/NY82553LOGO) 

This year in New York, more than 1,000 volunteers will renovate five single-family homes in Queens and repair 10 homes in Staten Island that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. 

The Carters will return to the original site of the first Carter Work Project in Manhattan's Lower East Side, where many of the original homeowners still reside in the 19-unit building called Mascot Flats. In September 1984, President Carter and hundreds of volunteers converted the six-story, 85-year-old abandoned building into a beautiful cooperative apartment building.  

In addition to the build in New York City, an estimated 3,000 volunteers will join the Carters to help build, repair or renovate more than 80 homes in the five locations across the United States.

"Working alongside Habitat for Humanity families and volunteers, President and Mrs. Carter have given the world a powerful expression of how to live out change. Their advancement of human rights over the decades has brought hope to so many that were living in despair," said Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for Humanity New York City. "We are deeply grateful for their time, talent and sweat at Habitat for Humanity New York City."

For 30 years, the Carters have partnered with Habitat for Humanity and given a week of their time each year to help build homes and raise awareness of the important role that decent, affordable housing plays in breaking the cycle of poverty.

"President and Mrs. Carter have been powerful voices in addressing the issues surrounding substandard housing," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "As we prepare for our 30th annual Carter Work Project, we again want to thank the former president and first lady for their incredible service in helping us move closer to a world where everyone has a decent place to call home."

Since it first began, the Carter Work Project has provided housing solutions in partnership with families across the United States and in 14 countries around the world.

The 2013 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project sponsors include: Citi, The Dow Chemical Company, Hudson Yards, a Related Oxford venture, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, PepsiCo Foundation, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, EXIT Realty Corp. International, Lowe's, Capital One Bank, Elizabeth Anton Habitat for Humanity Fund, Nissan Americas, The Procter and Gamble Company, Valspar, Marsh & McLennan Companies and W.P. Carey Inc.

Schedule of Special Events for the 2013 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in New York
**Media interested in covering an event should email [email protected]or [email protected]to receive a media credential form.

Sunday, October 6, 6 – 9 p.m.
2013 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project Opening Ceremonies
Central Park Zoo
830 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

• More than 400 volunteers will join in a festive evening to kick off the annual event with food, drinks, guest speakers and a special performance from the Central Park Zoo sea lions.

Thursday, October 10, 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Press Conference with President and Mrs. Carter
Mascot Flats
742 East 6^th Street, New York, NY

• President and Mrs. Carter will return to the Lower East Side where they first built with Habitat for Humanity New York City in 1984.

Friday, October 11
President and Mrs. Carter Help Rehabilitate Single-Family Homes in Queens
214-05 112th Road, Queens, NY
Photo Opportunities: 9 – 11 a.m.

• President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will work alongside Habitat for Humanity volunteers to help renovate five homes in Queens.

Friday, October 11, 4:30 – 6:45 p.m.
2013 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project Closing Ceremonies
Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Home of the Staten Island Yankees
75 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY

• President Jimmy Carter will address guests as they enjoy food, drinks, live entertainment from local groups and a picture slideshow of the week's build on the Jumbotron. Fireworks will end the night and close out a week of building homes and building hope. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m.

About Habitat for Humanity New York City
Habitat for Humanity New York City transforms lives and our city by building quality homes for families in need and by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of affordable housing. With the help of thousands of volunteers every year, Habitat NYC has built more than 260 affordable homes in the five boroughs of New York City. For more information, please visit habitatnyc.org, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 3 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates for fair and just housing policies and provides training and access to resources to help more families improve their shelter conditions. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To get more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit habitat.org.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity New York City